Community steps up to improve ORHS

On April 11 the Oak Ridge High School Community Foundation kicked off its 2013 Excellence in Education Capital Campaign. To date $230,000, nearly half of the $500,000 goal, has been pledged by current, future and past families of Oak Ridge High School students.

Oak Ridge High School Principal Steve Wehr noted that the foundation has provided significant support to the school over the last 10 years.

The current campaign is unique in that it is targeting improvements in areas that address a wide span of school needs. The campaign looks to help position Oak Ridge to achieve excellence in: performing arts; athletic training and performance; science classrooms; and, perhaps most importantly, Oak Ridge’s adoption of 21st century classroom techniques.

Specific funding has been targeted to improve the interior elements of the expanded gym/assembly facility, the new wrestling facility, and an expanded weight and fitness center aptly to be named the Trojan Performance Center. While the build out of these facilities is being funding by Measure Q Bond dollars, the Foundation will provide some of the necessary equipment in each facility – from new wrestling mats, to an electronic video score board, to high performance weight training stations. One of the most exciting funding initiatives is Oak Ridge’s foray into rolling out 21st century classroom capabilities — using state-of –the art technology and web-enhanced curricula. The foundation will fund electronic notebooks for every student in five key courses this fall, a program that will impact and benefit nearly 600 students. The initial roll out will validate the approach and methodologies for making every classroom a 21st century classroom by 2016.

Additional campaign funding is also earmarked for critical field science equipment, engineering resources and additional chemistry lab resources. Further study of an outdoor learning lab and new “hands on” curriculum will also start in 2013. Music and drama programs will benefit from enhanced sound equipment, stage lighting, acoustical sound partitions, guest conductors and new band instruments.

Scott Spriggs, ORHSC Foundation President, noted that while the campaign is off to a great start, getting to the finish line will require more parents and community members to step up and contribute. “Every dollar counts, be it $10, $100, $1,000 or more,” Spriggs said. “We welcome all donations large and small and recognize that broad community support sends a powerful message of caring about all our children.”

Spriggs suggested that those interested to hear first-hand about the campaign attend one of the remaining campaign evening receptions on May 15 or May 19. Visit trojanfoundation.org to RSVP and get get location details.

To learn more about the campaign , and donate online visit orhsfoundation.com.